🔧 Traverse - Front Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll be removing the front brake calipers, replacing the pads, and swapping the front rotors. Worn pads/rotors can cause noise, vibration, longer stopping distance, and uneven braking.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support your Traverse with jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Brakes may be hot; let everything cool before touching rotors/calipers.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is unhealthy—use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Keep brake fluid off paint; it damages finishes quickly.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (50-250 Nm range)
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" or 1/2")
• Flathead screwdriver (medium)
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Wire hook or bungee cord
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake caliper bracket hardware kit (clips) - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant (silicone-based) - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 bottle

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the ignition off, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting using a 21mm socket and breaker bar.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level. If it’s near “MAX,” remove a small amount with a clean towel so it won’t overflow when you compress the caliper pistons.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of your Traverse at the proper front lifting point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the front support points and lower the vehicle onto them.
• Remove the front wheels using a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper (the clamp that squeezes the pads)

• Turn the steering wheel to give yourself more room at the side you’re working on.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the two caliper slide-pin bolts.
• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket. Hang it from the suspension using a wire hook or bungee cord (do not let it hang by the brake hose).

Step 3: Remove the brake pads and hardware

• Remove the inner and outer pads by hand. If they’re stuck, gently pry with a flathead screwdriver (medium).
• Remove the stainless pad clips (hardware) from the caliper bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad “tracks” with a wire brush and brake cleaner spray.
• Tip: Clean metal helps the pads slide quietly.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket (the pad carrier)

• The caliper bracket is the heavy mount the pads sit in.
• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.

Step 5: Remove and replace the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it’s stuck from rust, tap around the rotor “hat” with a rubber mallet until it loosens.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and wipe clean with shop towels. A clean hub helps prevent brake pulsation (shake).
• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner spray and wipe it using shop towels to remove protective oil.
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper bracket and torque bolts

• Reinstall the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand, then tighten with an 18mm socket.
• Torque to 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs) using a 1/2" drive torque wrench (50-250 Nm range).

Step 7: Install new pad hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips into the bracket by hand (they should snap/seat fully).
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant (silicone-based) where the pad “ears” touch the clips. Do not get lube on the pad friction material or rotor.
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.

Step 8: Compress the caliper piston and reinstall the caliper

• Use a brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing. If it rises too high, stop and remove a little fluid.
• Set the caliper over the new pads and align the slide-pin bolt holes.
• Install the slide-pin bolts and tighten with a 13mm socket.
• Torque to 38 Nm (28 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheels and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a 21mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• With the engine OFF, slowly pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm. This seats the pads.
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 if needed.
• Start the engine and verify the pedal still feels firm.
• Do a cautious test drive. Start with gentle stops, then gradually increase.
• If your new pads require it, do a basic bed-in: 8–10 moderate stops from ~30–35 mph with cool-down between stops (avoid coming to a complete stop with hot brakes).
• Recheck for leaks, unusual noises, or pulling.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $650-$1,050 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $220-$480 (parts only)

You Save: $430-$570 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.